G7 Finalize $50 Bn Ukraine Loan Backed by Russian Assets Profits

Rescuers work at a site of an apartment building destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipro, Ukraine October 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mykhailo Moskalenko
Rescuers work at a site of an apartment building destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipro, Ukraine October 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mykhailo Moskalenko
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G7 Finalize $50 Bn Ukraine Loan Backed by Russian Assets Profits

Rescuers work at a site of an apartment building destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipro, Ukraine October 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mykhailo Moskalenko
Rescuers work at a site of an apartment building destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipro, Ukraine October 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mykhailo Moskalenko

G7 leaders have finalized details surrounding a $50 billion loan to aid Kyiv, backed by profits from Russian sovereign assets frozen after its invasion of Ukraine, according to a statement released Friday.

Leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies said they "have reached a consensus on how to deliver" the loans of approximately $50 billion, with an aim to start disbursing funds by the end of this year, AFP reported.

"The loan proceeds will be disbursed through multiple channels to support Ukraine's budgetary, military and reconstruction assistance," G7 leaders added.

Their announcement came as world financial leaders gathered in Washington this week for meetings hosted by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

Finance ministers have "agreed on a technical solution ensuring consistency, coordination, fair distribution of lending, and solidarity among all G7 partners," the statement said.

"We will not tire in our resolve to give Ukraine the support it needs to prevail," the leaders added.

They called on Moscow to end its war and pay for damage caused to Ukraine.

This week, US President Joe Biden said that as part of the G7 package, the United States would provide $20 billion in loans to Ukraine, to be paid back by the interest earned from immobilized Russian sovereign assets.

This is aimed at supporting Ukraine now, "without burdening taxpayers."



New Storm Bears Down on Philippines after Deadly Trami

 In this photo provided by the Malacanang Presidential Communications Office, a view of a damaged bridge caused by Tropical Storm Trami, in Laurel, Batangas province, Philippines on Friday Oct. 25, 2024. (Malacanang Presidential Communications Office via AP)
In this photo provided by the Malacanang Presidential Communications Office, a view of a damaged bridge caused by Tropical Storm Trami, in Laurel, Batangas province, Philippines on Friday Oct. 25, 2024. (Malacanang Presidential Communications Office via AP)
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New Storm Bears Down on Philippines after Deadly Trami

 In this photo provided by the Malacanang Presidential Communications Office, a view of a damaged bridge caused by Tropical Storm Trami, in Laurel, Batangas province, Philippines on Friday Oct. 25, 2024. (Malacanang Presidential Communications Office via AP)
In this photo provided by the Malacanang Presidential Communications Office, a view of a damaged bridge caused by Tropical Storm Trami, in Laurel, Batangas province, Philippines on Friday Oct. 25, 2024. (Malacanang Presidential Communications Office via AP)

The Philippines raised a fresh weather alert on Monday, days more than 100 people were killed by the worst storm of the year.

Nearly a million people are still sheltering at evacuation centers or with relatives after losing their homes or being driven out by floodwaters brought by Severe Tropical Storm Trami, which struck from October 22.

Now the national weather agency says Tropical Storm Kong-rey will bring heavy rain and severe wind to land in coming hours, and cause rough seas off the east coast.

Kong-rey will strengthen into a typhoon by Tuesday and pass close to small Philippine islands in the north as early as Wednesday, the weather service said in a bulletin. The lowest of a five-stage storm alert is in place on the country's northeast coast.

Trami, by contrast, struck some of the country's most populous areas.

The government's disaster agency put the death toll from Trami at 116, with 39 missing.

"Considering the current movement, a further westward shift in forecast track is not ruled out," it said of the latest storm, which would bring it closer to the country than earlier forecast.

It expects Kong-rey to smash into Taiwan at typhoon strength early Friday.

About 20 big storms and typhoons hit the Philippines or its surrounding waters each year, damaging homes and infrastructure and killing dozens of people.